Running-gear for automobiles.



No. 653 ,|8|. Patnted -luly 3, I900.

H. m. QUICK. RUNNING G-EAR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

(Application filed Aug. 11, 1899,",

(No Model.)

. ZNVENTOR. r mm ATTORNEY,

WITNESSES.-

THE Noams PETERS c9 FHOTO-UTHQ, WASHINGTON. a. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIRAM M. QUICK, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY.

RUNNING-GEAR FQR AUTOMOBILES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 653,181, dated July 3, 1900.

' Application filed August 11,1899. Serial No. 726,876- (No model.)

T at whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HIRAM M. QUICK, a citi- 1 zen of the United States, residing at Paterson,

in the county of Passaic and Stateof New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Running-Gear for Automobiles and other Vehicles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide a running-gear for vehicles in general, but which relates more particularly to that class of vehicles known as motor-vehicles or automobiles, which running-gear, by reason of its will greatly facilitate the movements of the vehicle and add to the durability thereof.

The invention consists in a novel construction, arrangemenuand combination of the various parts, which will be hereinafter described in the specification and pointed out in the claim and which are shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

Figure l of the drawings is an elevation, part sectional, of the front-axle wheels and steering apparatus of my motor-vehicle or automobile. Fig. 2 is a side view, part sectional, of a portion of the same, showing the steering apparatus with the arm and ballbearing hub of the wheel in section; and Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the front axle and Wheels and steering apparatus which comprise my invention, the wheels being swiveled and for turning, illustrating the method of turning the wagon in any direction or at any angle required.

In the drawings, E represents my improved axle, which is provided with the arms 0, F being the bolster of axle and H the reach, E being braces secured to the axle and E being braces secured to thereach. The braces E connect the axle-arms O and the axle E, While the braces E connect the axle arm O and the reach II. The wheel A has a ball-bearing hub A and has for its axle the arm B, which is constructed integral with and forms a portion of the ball-bearing hub D, which rotates on the angle-arm O or downwardly-projecting portion of the axle E. Said ball-bearing hub D is provided with a cranking lever d, which simplicity and ease of operation,

wheel-axle.

is also constructed integraltherewith. A bifurcated lever Z) is secured to an upright guiderod a, which passes pivotally through the .frame of running-gear and into or near the body of vehicle and is provided at the upper end with a steeringhandle a. The bifurcated lever 12 has the arms right and left, which are indicated as b and W. The ends of arms Zr and b are connected with the le ver-arms cl d by means of the adjusting-rods c and c and the turnbuckles c c.

The operation of steering my improved motor-vehicle is simple and entails but little friction upon the running-gear, the axle being stationary and the axle-arm and the wheelarm both being provided with ball-bearing hubs. In both hubs the balls are contained by and held in an annular chamber or chambers provided for that purpose and which are constructed in the ordinary manner. In the drawings the arms 0 of the axle E are shown as being bent downwardly in combination" with my combined ball-bearing axle-hub and The axle may be bent in other directions than as shown. The drawings show but one reach; but I propose to use two when desirable. When the pivoted bifurcated lever 12 is pointing at right angles to the axle E, it is an indication that the wheels A A are parallel with each other and the vehiole is going in a straight direction. When said bifurcated lever is thus crossing the axle E at right angles and at no other time are the wheels A A paralleling each other or is the vehicle going in a straight course. Said bifurcated lever may be kept thus crossing the axle E and at right angles thereto by the hand of the operator or by any other suitable mechanical means.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings the steering apparatus indicates that the handle has been turned toward the right in order that the vehicle may turn in that direction, and as the axle is stationaryand the wheels only are turned the right wheel A is turned out of parallel with the left wheel A, the left wheel A being compelled to describe a larger circle in turning than the right wheel A, which is vice versa when the steering-handle is turned to the left of the center or pivot on which the bifurcated lever turns. In the latter case the left wheel would describe the smaller circle and the right wheel the larger circle. This turning of the Wheels out of parallel with each other is an additional safeguard against friction and reduces the wearing of the bearing portions of the running-gear and prevents the wheels from sliding sidewise it turned while the vehicle is in motion.

With this description of my invention what I claim is- The combination with a bolster, of an axle having its ends bent downwardly at right angles, forming spindles integral therewith,eacl1 of its spindles being provided with an integral shoulder, the lower face thereof being partly beveled, a hub having a horizontal lever and a horizontal spindle both integral therewith, mounted to rotate on said axlespindle and provided with two ball-raceways, one at the upper and one at the lower portion thereof, an adjustable ring and ball-bearing beveled on its upper face adapted to fit on said axle-spindle and under said hub, means for supporting said adjustable ring and hub on said axle-spindle and balls located in the raceways of said hub, a steering-handle and connections between said steering handle and said horizontal lever, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HIRAM M. QUICK. Witnesses:

FLORENCE M. WESTHOVEN, JOHN F. KERR. 

